1 THE QUILL II VOLUME 4, ISSUE 1 | FALL/WINTER EDITION 2016 BRIGADE S-2 STAFF SECTION COME FALL IN LINE… INSIDE THIS ISSUE… BRIGADE LEADERSHIP PG. 2-3 CANNED FOOD DRIVE PG. 4 9/11 CEREMONY PG. 5 CADET CHALLENGE PG. 6 HISTORY OF THE BERET PG. 7 …YOU MEN OF OL’ BC. COMMISSIONING CEREMONY PG. 8 GANNAM DAY PG. 9 SAI COMMENTS PG. 10 Delete text and place photo here. BRIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor 2 2 BRIGADE LEADERSHIP BRIGADE COMMANDER’S COMMENTS The Brigade has started the year off strong and displayed our continued excellence. Our commissioning ceremony was executed smoothly and pleased many families. We also conducted successfully 9/11 and Veterans day ceremonies in which Benedictine honored those lost due to conflict. I, along with the Brigade leadership, are hoping and striving to have a great year with many accomplishments. -CDT COL Chu CDT COL Chu BRIGADE EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS So far this year has been great. The brigade has run fairly smoothly and we hope to finish this year strong. -CDT LTC COL Kochanik CDT LTC Kochanik BRIGADE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR’S COMMENTS This year, I think the Brigade could definitely use some improvement. I think that we are getting a lot better with the entire discipline system. The biggest problem in the Brigade is communication. We need to find an efficient way of getting important information out, especially information concerning Cadet Challenge. Other than a lack of communication in some areas, I think the Brigade is looking very good this year. -CDT CSM Crossley CDT CSM Crossley BRIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor 3 BRIGADE LEADERSHIP FIRST BATTALION COMMANDER’S COMMENTS 1st Battalion sets the example for the rest of the brigade. Overall, everything is running smoothly. The freshmen are learning what it means to be a follower before becoming leaders. - CDT LTC Triet Bui CDT LTC Bui SECOND BATTALION COMMANDER’S COMMENTS 2nd Battalion is looking strong so far. The commanders are doing their jobs, and the cadets are following orders and looking disciplined. I’m pleased with the current progress of the battalion. -CDT LTC Matthew Hogan CDT LTC Hogan THIRD BATTALION COMMANDER’S COMMENTS I am satisfied with the way the battalion is going at this point in the year. The freshman are learning and the leaders are doing their jobs to keep everything in the battalion disciplined and running smoothly. -CDT LTC Philip Moore CDT LTC Moore 4 CANNED FOOD DRIVE AMERICA’S SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK Every year, the core of cadets participates in the America’s Second Harvest Food Bank Canned Food Drive. We pick this time of year because the Christmas season is when America’s Second Harvest Food Bank faces their highest demand of people needing food. Thousands of cans are donated, which really shows the care that the cadets have for the less fortunate. “Happiness doesn't result from what we get, but from what we give.” - Ben Carson BRIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor 5 9-11 CEREMONY The 9/11 Tribute Ceremony at Benedictine Military School honored those who died on 9/11 and those who died serving our country. Green Beret Ranger MSG Gaetano Cutino, Lance CPL Squire Wells, and 1LT Matt Lynch made the ultimate sacrifice. Also, it was a time for reflection and prayer for the 3,121 Americans who lost their lives on that day to abominable acts of terrorism. 6 CADET CHALLENGE Cadet challenge occurs throughout the year. It is a time when cadets are assessed physically. The exercises the cadets go through are the mile, sit-ups, v-sit, pull ups, and the shuttle run. The main goal is for cadets to improve in these exercises as the year progresses. Cadet challenge is organized and led by the Brigade Leadership. BRIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor 7 HISTORY OF THE BERET The use of the military beret dates back to the seventeenth century when Scotland Highland troops informally wore them as “Blue Bonnets”. The beret first became officially mandated in the 1830’s by Spanish General Zumalacárregui, who saw the beret as an inexpensive headdress that was resistant to mountain weather. In the 1880’s, the French Chasseurs alpins were recognized as the first regular unit to wear the beret as a standard headgear. The use of the beret became widespread as French tank crews wore them in World War I. During that time, the British adopted a black leather version of the beret from the French as they were searching for an alternative headgear. Popularity of the beret soared in World War II when the British utilized different colored berets to distinguish different regiments. The United States first used the military beret in 1943 when the British provided them as a gift to an army battalion in the 509th Parachute Infantry for their service in the war. It was at first dismissed by the Marine Corps in 1951 due to them appearing too “foreign” and “feminine.” Shortly afterwards, a specially trained army organization began wearing green berets, eventually causing the headgear to gain widespread use in the country. Eight year later, President John F. Kennedy approved them as the official military headwear. In the 1970’s, the Department of the Army allowed local commanders to endorse distinct uniforms to raise morale following the Vietnam War. The use of berets boomed, and U.S. troops wore several different \colored berets to discern themselves. However, it later became too difficult to classify all of them. In 2001, General Shinseki mandated that the black beret would be the primary Army headgear for all troops, unless they were approved to wear a distinctive one. BRIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor 8 COMMISSIONING OF 72 SENIORS The commissioning ceremony occurs annually for seniors who have successfully completed three previous years of JROTC. Throughout a cadet’s four-year journey at Benedictine, they learn both discipline and leadership. It is a milestone for the cadets to be commissioned as an officer. They assume a position of leadership for the remainder of their senior year. BRIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor 9 GANNAM DAY Gannam Day is conducted annually on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941, to honor the fallen Benedictine cadets who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor and during World War II. This year, Gannam Day was conducted in the cafeteria, due to inclement weather. B RIGADE S-2 Current Affairs Officer: CDT LTC Pesto| BRIGADE S-2 NCO: CDT SGM Dolor SAI COMMENTS A REVIEW OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMMENTS FROM COLONEL RICHARD E. LA ROSSA I am extremely proud of what the Brigade Corps Of Cadets have successfully planned and executed during the first semester: The establishment of BC’s First Raider Team (AUG-NOV), for its 3rd season. Our 2nd Annual 9-11 Ceremony (SEP), so that we will never forget those who were killed on that tragic day in America’s history Commissioning Ceremony(SEP), to recognize the new slate of Senior Officers who will lead the Brigade this SY Gannam Day Ceremonies (DEC), a standing tribute to honor the 30 BC Cadets who were killed in WWII and to honor SGT George K. Gannam, the first Savannahian killed in WWII. I look forward to this semester as we begin our Rifle Matches, Drill and Color Guard Competitions and prepare for the following significant traditional BC events: The JPA (JROTC Program of Accreditation), which replaced the RFI (Regional Formal Inspection). We expect to achieve, for the 31st consecutive year, the distinction of “Program of Excellence” symbolized by the Gold Star we proudly display on our uniforms To continue our long-standing and proud tradition of marching in Saint Patrick’s Day Parade (since 1902) Finally, to finish out the SY with our Senior Review Ceremony to recognize seniors and other Cadets for their many accomplishments. Again, I am very proud of how our Cadets honored BC’s lineage by their actions, in the classroom, in JROTC, on our playing fields and throughout our community. I am sure they will continue to exceed our expectations. “Come Fall In Line You Men of Ol’ BC” v/r COL (R) Richard E. La Rossa SAI, Benedictine Military School “BC STRONG” .